The government on Saturday said domestic LPG cylinder deliveries remain stable across the country, with more than 51.5 lakh cylinders delivered in a single day, even as enforcement agencies intensified action against hoarding and black marketing.

In a statement, the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas said over 3,400 raids were conducted nationwide, leading to strict action against irregularities. Public sector oil marketing companies have increased surprise inspections, imposing penalties on 214 LPG distributorships and suspending 55 others.

The ministry also noted a surge in demand for smaller cylinders, with nearly one lakh 5-kg free trade LPG cylinders sold in a day compared to a daily average of 77,000 in February. Since March 23, over 12 lakh such cylinders have been supplied, particularly benefiting students, migrant workers and other vulnerable groups.

Efforts to strengthen the gas ecosystem have also continued, with gas allocation to fertiliser plants being increased by five percent to reach nearly 95 percent of their six-month average consumption. Since March, around 4.15 lakh PNG connections have been activated, while 4.55 lakh new consumers have registered. More than 26,000 users have voluntarily surrendered LPG connections via the MYPNGD portal.

Meanwhile, the government said necessary measures are in place to ensure the safety of Indian vessels and seafarers operating in West Asia. The India-flagged LPG carrier Jag Vikram has safely crossed the Strait of Hormuz carrying around 20,400 metric tonnes of LPG and 24 crew members onboard. The vessel is expected to arrive in Mumbai on April 15.

Authorities confirmed that no incidents involving Indian-flagged vessels have been reported in the past 24 hours, and all Indian seafarers in the region are safe.

Indian missions in the region remain in close contact with the diaspora, providing assistance and advisories amid evolving conditions. Since February 28, approximately 8.71 lakh passengers have travelled from the region to India. Additionally, the Indian Embassy in Tehran has facilitated the evacuation of 2,225 nationals, including students and fishermen, via Armenia and Azerbaijan for onward travel.

The government said it continues to monitor the situation closely while ensuring uninterrupted LPG supply and safety of Indian citizens and assets abroad.